Romans 12:9-21
July 10, 2022
preached by Pastor Ryan Bouton
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Time of Reflection Quotations

“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of ‘Admin.’ The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid ‘dens of crime’ that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labor camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern.”

~ C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

“I was born into a system constructed for failure;
It’s a sinking ship manned by drunken sailors,
An escape artist behind the bars of a jailor,
An asthmatic attack and we withhold the inhaler.
If the shoe doesn’t fit, what good is a tailor?
In the midst of a crisis please cancel the gala.
Without a symphony there’s no need for a prelude
To foreshadow what’s to come.

See the secret committees, commence with their meetings
To make red tape in response to simple questions.
Questions threaten the perception of the beneficial systems,
A pyramid scheme with its cogs and its pistons
Mechanization of men, making more and more
Live in a miserable existence
How can so few, claim so many victims
And this begs the question…”

~Josh Garrels, “The Resistance”

“Man is not at peace with his fellow man because he is not at peace with himself; he is not at peace with himself, because he is not at peace with God.”

~ Thomas Merton (1915-1968), American monk, writer and social activist

Sermon Passage

Romans 12:9-21 (ESV)

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.